Timber setting machine



March 23, 1954 J. MERCK TIMBER SETTING MACHINE.

8 Sheets-Sheet 1 [Wm/ 225 02 JOZZZZ were/.

Filed Feb. 26, 1949 March 23, 1954 JMERcK 2,672,997

TIMBER SETTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 hwenZm @2222 fZZgraZr. M

J. MERCK TIMBER SETTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 IYZWZZZOW1 JbbfiW/erck 0220 r zm gf L E E l lgl e 6 V8 9 6 a; g w

h HH March 23, 1954 Filed Feb. 26, 1949 J. MERCK TIMBER SETTING MACHINE March 23, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 26, 1949 March 23, 1954 J MERCK 2,672,997

TIMBER SETTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1949 8 Sh e ets-Sheet 5 6'5 73 9 2 2 w 35 4 ya /0675' 7 aa V 7/ 55, 3 V 3 i I #0 33 a v 7 37 i! 72 6 35 5 i r I *mn' m. IZZ 0ZZZ w i' 425 a @2722 2262 04. 1 I v y W M r March 23, 1954 MERCK 2,672,997

TIMBER SETTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 @2222 m rcin March 23, 1954 J MERCK 2,672,997

TIMBER SETTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1949 Fay/L 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 II wi n",

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Patented Mar. 23, 1954 JblinMei-cl'; Franklin; Pa., as'si'geer'to refiningteetering '(ldmlianyi-Pittsbiii gfig- Pai s-meme This invention relates to tim'be'r. setting" Inachines and more p'articularlyi'to a timber" settingi machine of the wheelLm'o'unted', track' guicleditype having an adjustably. mounted? timber elevator for" setting. cross timbers. in various positions against the roof ofa mine (tr-tunnel;-

Thejtimber settingmachine of the present in.-

vention isadaptedltotravelabout amine or tunnel while guidedfby a track'way laidon theflbor,

and. is'adaptedltobe. hauled? about the mine or tunnel by a conventibnal locomotive. whichtraveis along the track'way, a Aaloadof cross timbersiand'props.mayibecarriedby a trailer truck which may? becoupledl'to. thetimber setting machine and. which. may. be. selfi-propell'edgif desi'red,..to.. serve asa, haulagerunit for the-timber setting. machine. in placebfi'the. locomotive In accordance. with the present invention,-. thetrailer truck .whichcarries; the timberand prop load is. desirably}. arrangedbetween the 1000- motive. and the timber: setting. machine; The; timber setting machine may comprisefi a -truck carriedby. wheels. whicheengage the rails of the trackway, ,andehaving. a bod-y-.= swivelledhthereon and; carrying. a horizontali guideframe or arm-= 5" projecting.a -substantial-distanccelaterally of the: truck..and'.l. providing guidways along whiche-a trolley or carriage-is movab lee. 'I he carriage'maye have.mountedthereom:aetimbenelevatinga'deviceor. ti'mb'en elevator. for. receiving. a cross timben andefor raisingthewsame up against-thcmoofe The machinebody may carrya saw mechanismso. thatwhen: a timber: isunloaded: from": the trailer truck. andeplacedtini position cn the-ma chine. body it. may; be. sawed: to .---proper: lengths.

Thetcut timber. may then-be: placed: on the top;

of; the machine body "and withwthe carriage andelevating; devicethereon in: retracted position on theiguide eframe; the. timber-1 may? be moved endwise-from'zthe machineebodyeonto the 'saddle of; the timberelevatingedevicm Eloon jacks at the.- outer end eofathe guidei frame may? them be: lowered into=--engagementwith the floor so that when thertimber isr forced'rupwardly against the roofvrthe guide framerandreleyatingi device are firmly-supported from-below; The cariiagermay then: be moved; to thewdesiz ed-fposi tion outwarda Imalong; theri guiderframer wvithithe latter *lccatede in: therdesiredcarigular pcsitioni The ti mberi'on' the saddles may them be: turnedq with: the saddle":

relativerz'to; thee elevating: device intoi a position crosswisezof therguide framegziand thei elevatingi device. may besopera'tedi totraiseathe saddle: toi bring thee timben-thereone up: againstethea were A supply of props may be carried by the machine timber is held against the roof, preps; may be saweavw propefiengtii and placed in upright secure the latteffiiihl'iff feo'rfeupporun'gpesition. The timber elevatingl device'may'then be operatedtolowehthesaddlel the floor jacks'may be raised from the floor, and the carriage and the" elevating devieemay b mbv'e'd' into their initial retracted position 01i? the guide frame By" swivelly" mounting tli lffafcl'ii'li Body On. the truck the guid'"f "memaywee turned into any desired angularpositibiifabbve' the" truck wheels substantially th'riiu'gh relative to the truck; By mounting. the timber elevating device on a carriage tra'vls" alofigfa guide frame the timber receiving saddle" at belocated in any mounting theigfiiide'fiafii tb' s win'gifhorinontally, the tiin'bel elevating device" may" be positioned through'relatively wide range" with respect tothej track? nsafresiilt offthis fiez'iibility in-adjustirie'nt' of" the timber elevating device a cross timber may be readily positioned in venous" locati'o'hs'w" object ofthefpfeseiit intention is to pro-- vide anaurcreveatimer'settnig meehine having a relatively wide rangeof adjustment thereby facilitatin'g the" proper" locating; o'i' a cross timber with respect'tb' the rbbf-to lde" supported. A-nother'pb'ject"istoprovide an'improved timber settingmachine ofthe wheel mounted, track guide typeadapted 'itoiti'avel along a trackway' laid "on" the fi'oorofa' mine or tunnel andembodying. improved timber elevating means which may. be adjustedin horizontal planes above the wheels through a -relatively. wide range. another objectlis to provide an improved-timber settingeimachine. having.-a-portab1e base and improved swivell'ed'mounting means for the timber elevator on-the base whereby.- the timberreceiving saddle may be adjusted through a--re1atiVe1y wide, range with respect to the base. A further object is 1:0 provide an improved timber setting machinc having-e avwhe'eled truck on which the machine-bodyr'is' 'swiveiled to swing in horizon"- tal plai1es, wi-th -the s-wivelled machine "body" car- 1 rying a horizontal Iguide frame which proj ects outwardly :fidm the triick aboveithe triick' wheels and provides g'uideways foraa carriage by which a timber elevatoi'-isacarried whereby a'- timber supported by the el'evatbr may be re'adilyplaced root at diiferefit tiistantes"ar id in dif fe'reriti angiilar persitibne witli respect to 1 the truck. A still further object is to provide a horih -respeeetetrie "roof to be supported;

zontal guide frame mounted for horizontal adjustment relative to the machine base and providing an elongated guideway along which a timber elevating device is movable into different timber setting positions. Yet another object is to provide an improved swivelly mounted, horizontal guide frame of the above character, having adjustable floor engaging supports at its other extremity whereby the guide frame may be firmly supported in a horizontal position on the floor during the setting of a cross timber against the roof. A still further object is to provide improved motor operated means on the guide frame for adjusting the timber elevating device back and forth along the frame guideways and for holding the elevating device in adjusted position. Still another object is to provide an improved timber setting machine having a novel combination and arrangement of parts. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved timber setting machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the timber setting machine shown in Fig. l, with parts shown in vertical section and partially broken away to illustrate structural details.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, with parts shown in end elevation.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 3- 1 of Fig. 1, showing details of the guide frame, the carriage and the timber elevating jack.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the forward portion of the machine shown in Fig. 2, with the carriage and timber elevating jack in retracted timber receiving position on the guide frame,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal detail sectional view taken substantially on line 66 of Fig. 2, showing the turning mechanism for the machine body.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged cross sectional View taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 1, showing the timber elevating and floor jacks in extended positions.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 8 8 of Fig. 4, with parts shown in full to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 99 of Fig. 2, with parts broken away to show structural details.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line ill-4B of Fig. 1, illustrating details of the saw mechanism.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line ll-ll of Fig. 1, through the carriage guide frame.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the fluid system and associated control valve means.

Figs. l3, l4 and 15 are diagrammatic views showing different operating positions of the timber setting machine in a mine or tunnel.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, as shown in the drawings, the improved timber setting machine, generally designated comprises a portable base 2, herein a truck, having a frame 3 provided with usual. end bumpers and coupling means and mounted on wheels. 4

adapted to travel along the rails of a trackway 5 laid on the mine or tunnel floor. Evidently, the base may be mounted on rubber-tired wheels or endless crawler treads to travel over the floor without the aid of a guiding trackway, if desired.

Mounted on the truck to swing horizontally with respect thereto about an upright axis located centrally of the truck frame is a machine body 6 which has an elongated horizontal guide frame or arm I which projects a substantial distance outwardly from the front end of the body, and movable horizontally along the guide frame is a carriage or trolley 8 which carries a timber elevating device 9, desirably in the form of an extensible, vertical, fluid operated jack, for elevating a timber receiving saddle iii in a vertical direction to bring a cross timber thereon up against the roof. Carried at th sides of the outer portion of the guide frame F are floor engaging supports H, H, desirably in the form of extensible fluid operated floor engaging jacks. Arranged at the rearward portion of the swivelled machine body is a saw mechanism if. A motor l3, desirably an electric motor, is arranged within the machine body and drives a pump M. A reversible motor l5, desirably a conventional fluid motor, on the truck serves to rotate the swivelled body, a reversible motor 16, desirably a conventional fluid motor, on the guide frame serves to move the carriage back and forth along the frame guideways; and a motor ll, desirably a conventional fluid motor H, on the body serves to drive the saw. A control valve mechanism 53 on the rearward portion of the machine body near an operators platform i9, is provided to control the flow of fluid under pressure from the pump to th several hydraulic motors i5, i6, and H and to the elevating and floor jacks 9 and ll. A seat 20 for the operator is located on the operators platform and the control valve mechanism i8 is conveniently located near the operators station.

The body 6 of the machine is swivelly mounted on a circular turntable frame 2! arranged centrally on the truck frame and rigidly secured to transverse channel members 22 in turn rigidly secured to the truck frame, and an annular retaining ring 23 fixed to the bottom of the body has a flange which underlies the annular outer rim or flange 24 of the circular turntable frame, as shown in Fig. 2. A vertical shaft 25 suitably secured to the machine body, is journalled in bearings supported within a gear housing 2&5 in turn suitably secured to the truck frame, with a circular upper portion thereof which surrounds the shaft fitting within an opening in the circular turntable plate, in the manner shown. This shaft projects downwardly within the housing and has a worm wheel 2'! keyed thereto. A worm 28 secured to a transverse shaft 29, meshes with the worm wheel, and this shaft is journalled in bearings supported within the housing, as shown in Fig. 6, The fluid motor 15 is mounted on a horizontal plate secured to the sides of the truck frame near the fram bottom and has fixed to its horizontal power shaft a drive sprocket 30 which is connected by an endless drive chain 3l to a chain sprocket 32 in turn fixed to the worm shaft 29. Thus when the motor 15 is running the swivelled machine body may be rotated on its swivel mounting in the desired direction relative to the truck, and when the motor is stopped the fluid trapped within the motor serves to lock the machine body in its position. of swivel-led ediustmentt, valve means: for: the motor I 5 scribed;

:Now rote-urinate: thestructure of. the l-iurizcuta1; guide: frame? and the carriage e thereon. it will; be noted that. the guide frame: comprises; parallel horizontalchannei members 33:. 33; rigidly secured: at. their inner ends to. the: machine and haw mg.- inwardly directed upper and;v lowerflanges; which provide atrackway o1: tor the; cam riage, and outer ends. of; the; channel members; are rigidly connected together by a cross frame 34; The carriage comprises a horizontal frame 35; canned by flanged wheels. 36: which run along the top surfaces of the bottom flanges. oi th channel members intermediate I flanges as shown in Figs. 'l and 8. The "carriage name has-a horizontal top'plate 31 on. which the timber elev'ating jack 9 is mounted, with the jack located in the space between the channel menibersa A pair of parallel pivoted-link chains 3% extend along the" inner sides of the channel menibe'rs-and are connected at their ends to depending logs on thecarriafge'frame, and these chains pass around end idler sprockets 39 and 40. The rear sprockets 40- aremounted on a transverse shaft supported within side plates 4 I secured to the outer sides of the channel members while the front sprockets 35 are mounted on atransverse shaft supported within the outer cross frame 34-. Thesechains pass over a pairof guide spockets 62 arid-#3 and downwardly'around drive sprockets 44". The sprockets 42 and 43 are mounted on The. control later dctransverse shafts supported independing side plates 45 secured as by welding to the bottoms oi the channel members. The drive sprockets Mar Y keyed to a parallel shaft 46 journalled in bearings 41 supported by the side plates 45 (Fig. 11). The; motor I6 is carried by abracket 48 secured to the adjacent side of. the guide frame and has a drive sprocket (Fig. 11') fixedto its power shaft and engaging an endl'ess'drive chain 50 which in turn engages a chain sprocket 51- secured to the drive sprocket shaft 4-6. Thus when fluid under pressure is properly supplied" to the motor it the carriage 8 may be moved; through the chain and sprocket connections above described; back and forth along the guideways of the. guide frame. 1:, and when the motor is stopped the fluid trapped therein serves to lock the carriage in its adjusted,- position. The control valve means for the motor I6 will be later described.

The timber elevating jack 9 may assume various forms but as shown herein is similar to that disclosed in the L. G. Felderman et a1. application Ser. No. 746,832, filed May 8,1947. The elevating.

jack comprises, a vertical cylinder 55 having an annular flange rigidly secured as byscrews to the top plate 3! of the carriage, andcontained in this cylinder is a series of piston and cylinder'sections 56', 57, and 58 arranged" in telescopic relation and each having a tubular piston rod portion. Reciprocable in the bore 59 of the innersection- 58- is a piston 66 having a piston rod 6|. The outercylinder 55 and thesecti'ons 56; Hand 58' respec tively carry suitable packings 6'2, 63, 64, and 65 which sealingly engage the several rod peripheries to. prevent leakage. The means for supplying fluid under pressure to and for exhausting. fluid. from these several cylinders will later be de-'- scribed. Secured at 66; to the upperend of the pistonrod BI is the; timber receiving: saddle. [0.1

This. saddle has a timber receiving platform 61' which isresiliently and tiltably-mounted on. a

theupper and lowerssese gt ie s s g i1e use .5

m closed. in a. ccpenduze animation to C; E. Bell Serial Nu. 25,5345. filed; It 19448; new into- Patent Number ia .58.55 Nmmher 153;, 195.1,. so that the saddle platmrml have limited endwise tilt relative to the:- I'fiflkxfi) come pensataior any uneixenness or: the root against across timber is: to be placed. The saddle may Ice-turned witnthe piston. root 5 I; about the. verticalaaxiswoi: theeleuatingi jack" toilucate the saddle diffiercntvangular positions.

The door engaging jacks H likewise may as sums: various; forms andiare herein shown: similar to: the floor jack of the Feldermam etali applicatio'n above reierred. to;- There are herein shown a. pair of floor jacks. supported; by brackets w (Figs. 7 and 8) secured to the outer sides of theguide drama I. floorjaek. includesa. vertical fluidi cylinder 1 I: welded to itslsupporting brackets and. containing: a reciprocablepiston 12 having its tubular piston rod 73' extending downwardly through the lower cylinder-head and carrying a swivelly mounted foot-piece -14. The pistons oi the. floor jacks may bell-moved downwardly, under the influence of prcssurefluid in -the cylinders M to movethe foot-pieces i'ntoflrm engagement with the floor, thereby to provide astable bottom support for the timber elevating jack during the timber setting operation. eon springs 15 arranged within the cylinders and piston rods are connected between the upper cylinder heads and the lower ends of piston-rods serve to retract the pistons 12 when fluid is vented-ficmthe cylinders. Since the specific structures of the elevating and H001 jacksare fully described in the Feljderman et 2.1. application above referred to and do not per se enter intothepresent invention further description thereof is herein trmrccessary.v Pressure fluid may beadm-itted to the jacks, underthe} control of valve means to belater described to elevate the timber receiving saddle l0 and to bring the foot-pieces of the doorjacks downagainst the' fioor.

The saw mechanism it may likewise assume various forms but as herein-shown may be similar tothat disclosed in a depending application to C. Ball" et ah, Serial No. 746-;646; filed May 8, 194-7. This saw mechanism isarranged within the wivelled machine body 6 and o'omprises' a circular saw blade-88* secured to a: horizontal shaft 8i suitably jomnalled ,in bearngssup ported withina sliding; support 82 vmounted on a horizontal guide 83 (Figs. 3, 9. and" 10); Se;- cured to the sliding support is the fluid motor I which has its horizontal powershaftcoupled tothe shaft 8|. The sliding. support guided on its guide for horizontal rectilinear movement and carries bearing'roll'ers 85' adapted to run along the uppenside surfaces 86 of the guide. The saw blade is;.in this instance, arranged i-n vertical planes extending-transversely of the machine body and the outer side of the bod-y is vertically slot-ted at: 8-1 sothat the saw' blade may be projected outwardly fromthe side of the body into sawing position. horizontal rod 88 is secured to the sliding support 82 and passes outwardly through anopening in-the side of the body and has a handle flu'fixed thereto externally of the body. A spring 98- connected between the inner end-of the rod 88 anda bracket 91- at therear end or the guide,- constantly urgesthe sliding support 82 toward 'its i'nnermost position so that'when the handle fla-is released y theoperator the saw'bl'ade retrac s. autometi cally with the machine body. The. machine body The bore containing tudinally along the side thereof and a timber is adapted to rest on this shelf and to be moved endwise therealong into proper sawing relation with respect to the saw mechanism. A segmental guard 93 secured to the side of the body serves to house the upper portion of the saw blade when the latter is projected outwardly in its sawing position, thereby to protect the hand of the operator which grasps the saw moving handle 89. A timber or prop may be placed along the side of the body on the shelf 92 as shown in Fig. 3 and when the timber or prop is properly positioned with respect to the path of movement of the saw blade, the saw mechanism may be operated to cut the timber or prop to the desired length.

Now referring to the fluid system shown dia grammatically in Fig. 12, it will be observed that the motor driven pump I4 has its suction side connected by a conduit 95 to a tank 90 arranged within the machine body and containing a suitable fluid preferably a liquid such as oil. The discharge side of the pump is connected by the conduit 91 to the pressure passage of a valve box 98 of the control valve mechanism I8. The

discharge passage of the valve box is connected by a return conduit 99 back to the tank 96. The valve box has a series of parallel bores which respectively receive conventional slide valves I00, IOI, I02, I03, and I04 desirably of the balanced spool type each of which has an operating handle. The bore receiving the slide valve W is connected by a conduit I05 to the inlet side of the saw driving motor I1 and the discharge side of this motor is connected by a conduit I06 to the discharge conduit 95 leading back to the tank.

the slide valve iti is connected by a conduit I01 and branch conduits I08 to the upper ends of the cylinders II of the floor jacks II. The conduit I0'|-has arranged therein a hand valve I09 which is normally open and which may be closed when the floor jacks are extended into engagement with the floor to trap the fluid therein thereby to lock the same in adjusted position. The bore containing the slide valve I02 is connected by conduits H0 and III to the opposite sides of the motor I6 for moving the carriage back and forth along the guide frame. The bore containing the slide valve I03 is connected by a conduit Hz to the outer bottom cylinder 55 of the timber elevating jack 9, and arranged in this conduit is a hand valve I I3 which is normally open and which may be closed when the elevating jack is extended to trap fluid therein thereby to lock the same in adjusted position. The bore containing the slide valve I04 is connected by conduits IN and H5 to the opposite sides of the motor I5 which turns the machine body. The valve box has embodied therein a conventional pressure relief valve device IIB which automatically relieves the pressure in the fluid system in the event of overload. By arranging the slide valve I00 for controlling the saw driving motor I1 the first in the valve bank, the other hydraulically operated devices cannot be operated during running of the saw thereby reducing the possibility of injury to the operator.

The general mode of operation of the improved timber setting machine is as follows: The timber setting machine is adapted to travel along the trackway during tramming about the mine or tunnel and a timber trailer truck is coupled to the rear end of the machine and a locomotive is coupled to the rear end of the trailer truck. Evidently, if-desired the timber setting machine may have its own traction means or the machine may be trammed about the mine or tunnel by an auxiliary self-propelled truck which may carry the timber load in back of the machine. When it is desired to set a cross timber against the roof of the mine or tunnel a timber may be unloaded from the trailer truck and placed alongside the machine body on the shelf 92 and moved endwise therealong into proper sawing relation with the saw so that it may be cut oif by the saw to the desired length. The saw is driven by the motor I! under the control of the slide valve I00 at this time. The properly cut timber is then removed from the shelf and placed on the top of the machine body and moved endwise, in the manner shown in Fig. 5, onto the saddle I0 of the timber elevating jack. The motor I5 may then be operated, under the control of the slide valve I04, to turn the machine body horizontally relative to the truck to locate the guide frame I in the desired angular position with respect to the truck. When the guide frame is properly positioned, the slide valve I0! may be operated to effect lowering of the floor jacks II into engagement with the floor and by closing the hand valve I09 the floor jacks may be locked in adjusted position. The motor It may then be operated, under the control of the slide valve I02, to move the carriage 8 and timber elevating jack carried thereby outwardly along the guide frame to the desired position, and when the elevating jack is properly positioned the timber on the saddle I0 may be turned with the saddle into a crosswise position as shown in Fig. 15. The slide valve I03 may then be operated to supply fluid under pressure to the elevating jack 9 to raise the saddle I0 to bring the timber thereon up against the roof, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The props, which may be carried on the top of the machine body, may then be sawed to proper length by the saw mechanism I2, and placed in upright position, beneath the ends of the cross timber to secure the latter firmly in place against the roof. The elevating jack may then be lowered by opening the valve H3 and positioning the slide valve I03 so that fluid may be vented from the jack cylinders and the carriage may be retracted along the guide frame by the motor I9 under the control of the slide valve I02 along the guide frame to move the elevating jack back to its timber receiving position. The valve I09 may then be opened and the slide valve IOI positioned to vent the cylinders H of the floor jacks so that the springs 15 may retract the jack pistons to raise the jack feet 14 from the floor. In Fig. 15 the swivelled machine body, as shown in full lines, has been turned relative to the truck to locate the guide frame I in a right angle position at one side of the trackway so that a cross timber may be set against the roof preparatory to the making of a cross cut or room neck extending laterally from the main entry. The opposite right angle position of the guide frame and elevating jack are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 15, and the guide frame and elevating jack may be turned through into any desired angular position intermediate the right angle positions shown.

As a result of this invention an improved timber setting machine of the wheel mounted, track guided type is provided having an improved adjustable mounting for the timber elevator, whereby timbers may be set through a relatively wide range of positions against the roof of a mine or tunnel. By mounting the timber elevator on a carriage which is guided for horizontal movement back and forth along aheriz'ontai guide, and by" mounting the guide frame for horizontal swing ing movement relative to the truck above the wheels thereof, a timber may be. placed against the roof in any desired position with the limits of adjustment of" the timber elevator, thereby greatly facilitating the'timbering ofa roof. It will also be evident that by the provision of the various power adjustments fOr the timber elevaton; a. timber may be quickly and expeditiously placed in the desired position against. the roof to be supported. Also the guide frame maybe firmly'supported with respect to the fi'oor during elevation of a timber by the provision of its novel mounting of the machine body and the fioor engaging. jacks; By grouping the controls .near the operators station on the machine the various adjustments of the timber elevating saddle may be quickly and easily effected. The novel arrangement of the saw mechanism not. onlyfacilitates cutting of the cross timbers or props to the 'de: sired length but also safeguards the operator against injury. Themachine is relatively simple in design, considering its several power adjustments and operating movements, and is also rugged in construction well adapted to meet the severe demands of service in a mineor tunnel. Otheradvantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which. the invention may assumein practice, it will be understood that this formof the same isshown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims. I 7

What I claim as new and Letters Patent is:

1. In a timber setting machine, the combination comprising a portable base, a horizontal guide frame swivelly mounted at its inner end on said base to swing horizontally with respect thereto, the outer portion of said frame projectdesire to secure by ing outwardly beyond said base, a timber receiving saddle, a vertical, extensible elevating jackat the top of which said saddle is carried, said elevating jack extending upwardly a substantial distance above said guide frame, means formountingsaid jack on said guide frame for horizontal adjustment back and forth relative to said base irrespective of the swivelled position of said guide frame, and means swingable horizontally with said guide frame and providing a timber supporting surface, said saddle when said jack is disposed back on said guideway adapted to. receive a timber moved endwise from said supporting surface, and said jack when in its forguideway operable to elevertical direction to bring ward position on said vate said saddle in a the timber thereon up against a roof to be supported.

2. In a timber setting machine, a support prosubstantial distance beyond the lateral" limits of extending a substantial distance upwardly above said carriage, a timberreceiving saddle carried; by said elevator and, adjustable in. a vertical direction by the latter for elevating a timber carried. by said saddle upagainst a roof to be supported... said saddle when in lowered position and; said elevator is in retracted position on said guide. a timber movedendwise from said supporting surface, a motor mounted; on said guide frame, and

connections, being operatively connected to said: carriage for adjusting the latter back and forth. along said guide frame- 3; In a timber setting machine, a.portablebase,v a body swivelled on said base and, adapted. to carry a mine timber on the top thereof, a. power operated timber elevator adapted to reoeiveatimr ber moved endwise from the top, of said body and.

for raising a timber supported at the. top thereof.v

up against a roof to be supported, means for.

mounting said timber elevator on the forward end.

of said body for. adjusting. movement. in. a. horizontal' direction relative thereto, power operated devices on said mounting means for efi'ecting such adjustment of said timber elevator, means providing an operators station on the rear end 01- said swivelled body between the lateral. limits of the. latter; and control means on said swivelled body at the operators station for controlling the 019611 ation of said timber elevator and said elevator adjusting means.

4. In a timber setting maehina. a. ortable base, a body swivelled on said base and adapted to carry a mine timber on the top thereof, a power operated timber elevator adapted to receive a timber moved endwise from the top of. said body and for raising a. timber supported at the top thereof up against; a roof'to be supported. means for mounting said timber elevator on. the forward end of said body for adjusting movement. in a horizontal direction relative thereto, power operated devices on said mounting means. for efiecting such adjustment of said timber elevator, power operated means on said body for turning the latter on its. swivel mounting. on said base, means providing an operators station. on the rear end of said swivelled body between the lateral limits of the latter, and con: trol means on said swivelled body at the. operators station for controlling the operation of said timber-elevator, of said elevator adjusting means, and of said body turning means. v 5. In atimber setting machine, a portable base, a body swivelled on said" base and, adaptedto. support a mine timber at the top thereof, a power operated timber elevator for receiving, a timber moved endwise from the top of said bodyand for raising-a timber up. against a roof. to. be supported, means for mounting said timber elevator on the front end of said body for adjusting. move.- ment in a horizontal direction relativethereto, power operated devices for efl'ecting such adjustment of said timber elevator, power operated means on said body for turning said body on its swivel mounting on said base, power operated floor engaging devices for supporting said elevator mounting means on the floor to provide a bottom support for said timber elevator during the elevation of a timber against, the roof, means providing anoperators station onthe rear end of saidswi-velled body within the lateral limits of the latter and located above;v said base, and control means on said swivelled" body at connections. guided on said guide frame and actuated by said. motor, said.-

on said mounting means.

the operators station for controlling the operaticn of said timber elevator, of said elevator adjusting means, of said body turning means, and of said floor engaging devices.

6. In a timber setting machine, a portable base, a body swivelled on said base to turn horizontally with respect thereto about an upright axis, said body carrying a horizontal frame which projects laterally from said base in all positions of said body about its swivel, a fluid operated timber elevator carried by said horizontally projecting frame at the outer end thereof for elevating a timber up against a roof to be supported, fluid operated means on said body for turning said body on itsv swivel to move the outer end of said frame through a wide arc thereby to move said elevator arcuately relative to said base to vary the operating position thereof, a source of fluid under pressure carried by said body, means providing an operators station at the rear end and between the lateral limits of said body, said operators station located above said base, and control valve means on said body near said operators station for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure from said source to said timber elevator and said body turning means.

7. In a timber setting machine, a portable base, a body swivelled on said base to turn horizontally with respect thereto about an upright axis, a horizontal guide projecting forwardly from the front end of said body, a fluid operated timber elevator mounted on said guide for movement back and forth therealong and adapted to raise a timber thereon up against a roof to be supported, fluid operated means for moving said elevator along said guide, fluid operated means for turning said body on its swivel, a source of fluid under pressure, means providing an operators station at the rear end of said body, and control valve means on said body near the operators station for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure from said source to said timber elevator, to said elevator moving means and to said body turning means.

8. In a timber setting machine, a portable base, a horizontal guide frame carried by said base and projecting outwardly therefrom near the lower portion of said body, a pair of floor engaging jacks carried at the opposite sides of the outer end of said guide frame and engageable with the floor to support said frame, a carriage guided for movement along said guide frame and positionable at the outer portion of said frame intermediate said jacks, and a timber elevator carried by and extending upwardly above said carriage for elevating a timber carried thereby at its top up'against a roof to be supported, said elevator when in its outer position along said guide frame being located intermediate said floor engaging jacks and said jacks providing a stable bottom support for said elevator during the raising of a timber against the roof.

9. In a timber setting machine, a portable base, a horizontal guide frame on said base, a carriage guided for movement back and forth along said guide frame, an extensible timber elevating jack mounted on and extending a substantial distance upwardly above said carriage for elevating a timber supported at the top of said jack up against a roof to be supported, a carriage-moving-motor on said frame at one side thereof out of the path of movement of said carriage, and operative connections between said motor and said carriage including to said carriage, guide sprockets 'on said frameat a flexible chain'connected 12 its opposite ends for guiding said chain, a drive sprocket engaging said chain intermediate said guide sprockets, and means for securing the top run of said chain to said carriage intermediate said guide sprockets.

10. A timber setting machine comprising, in combination, a mobile base having mobile supporting means adapted to travel over the floor of a mine, a horizontal frame overlying and pivotally mounted at its inner end on said base to swing horizontally with respect to said base, said frame projecting outwardly beyond the lateral limits of said base and extending horizontally above said mobile supporting means, said frame providing a horizontal guideway extending radially of the swivel axis, power operated means for swinging said frame relative to said base, power operated supporting means carried at the outer overhanging end of said frame for supporting th latter on the mine floor in any adjusted position of the frame about its swivel, a power operated elevator jack mounted on said guide frame for movement back and forth along the frame guideway and by which a timber receiving saddle is carried, said jack extending upwardly a substantial distance above said guide frame and adjustable to elevate said saddle to bring a timber thereon up against the min roof, and control means on said swingable frame for controlling said swinging means, said supporting means and said elevator jack.

11. In a timber setting machine, a wheeled truck, a body overlying and swlvelled on said truck to swing horizontally relative thereto above the truck wheels and having a timber supporting surface, a horizontal guide carried by said body and projecting a substantial distance outwardly from the lower portion of said body, said guide swingable horizontally with said body above said wheels relative to said truck with the outer end of said frame moving through a wide arc, a carriage movable back and forth along said guide and located a substantial distance below the top of said body, said carriage movable between a position at the inner end of said guide in adjacency to said body and a position at the outer end of said guide remote from said body, an extensible timber elevating jack mounted vertically on and extending a substantial distance above said carriage, and a timber receiving saddle carried at the top of said jack, and disposable, when said carriage is located inwardly on said guide and said jack is lowered, at the level of said supporting surface in a position to receive a timber moved from said supporting surface and movable with the timber outwardly along said guide to a position at the outer end of said guide, and said jack being adjustable, when said carriage is located outwardly on said guide, to raise said saddle for elevating the timber supported thereby in a vertical direction to bring the timber up against a roof to be supported.

12. In a timber setting machine, a wheeled truck, a body overlying said truck and swivelled thereon to swing relative thereto in horizontal planes above the tops of the truck wheels, a horizontal guide frame carried by said body and projecting outwardly from the lower portion of said body a substantial distance from said truck, said frame swingable horizontally with said body relative to said truck with'the outer end of said frame moving through a wide are, said body being turnable'relative to said truck to locate said guide frame in a right angle-position at either side of the path of movement of said truck or in any desired intermediate position, a carriage guided on said guide frame below the top of said body for movement back and forth therealong between a position at one end of said guide frame and a position at the opposite end of said guide frame, and a timber elevator having a timber receiving saddle at its top, said elevator extending upwardly above said carriage with said saddle located near the top of said body, said carriage movable outwardly on said guide frame to move the timber on said saddle to the outer end of said guide frame, said elevator when said carriage is so positioned operable to move a timber supported on said saddle up against a roof to be supported.

13. In a timber setting machine, a portable base, a body swivelled on said base to turn horizontally with respect thereto about an upright axis, a horizontal guide projecting forwardly from the front end of said body, a fluid operated floor engaging jack for supportingthe outer overhanging end of said guide, a fluid operated timber elevator mounted on said guide for movement back and forth therealong and adapted to raise a timber thereon up against a roof to be supported, fluid operated means for moving said elevator along said guide, fluid operated means for turning said body on its swivel, a source of fluid under pressure, means providing an operators station at the rear end of said body, and control valve means on said body near the operator's station for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure from said source to said floor jack, to said timber elevator, to said elevator moving means and to said body turning means.

14. In a timber setting machine, a portable wheel supported base, a support swivelly mount ed on said base to swing horizontally with respect thereto and having an upper horizontal timberre'ceiving surface, a horizontal guide frame carried by said support near the bottom thereof a substantial distance below the top surface of said support and extending in a radial direction with respect to the swivel axis of said support, said guide frame overlying and projecting outwardly beyond said base and adapted to swing horizontally above the wheels of said base, a timber-receiving saddle disposed at one end of said support for receiving a timber supported by the upper surface of said support, a vertical, extensible elevating jack for said saddle and extending upwardly above said guide frame, and means for mounting said jack on said guide frame for horizontal adjusting movement back and forth along said guide frame, said jack operable to elevate said saddle a substantial distance above the top of said support to bring a timber on said saddle up against a roof to be supported.

15. In a timber setting machine, a portable wheel supported base, a support swivelly mounted on said base to swing horizontally with respect thereto and having an upper horizontal timberreceiving surface, a horizontal guide frame carried by said support near the bottom thereof a substantial distance below the top surface of said support and extending in a radial direction with respect to the swivel axis of said support, said guide frame overlying and projectin outwardly beyond said base and adapted to swing horizontally above the wheels of said base, a timberreceiving saddle disposed at one end of said support for receiving a timber supported by the upper surface of said support, a vertical, extensible its swivel axis relative to said base, motor op erated mechanism on said guide frame and connected to said jackmoving means for moving the latter horizontally back and forth along said guide frame, a source of power on said swivelled support, and control means located at the opposite end of said support for controlling the flow of power medium to said motor operated mechanisms.

16. In a timber setting machine, a portable wheel supported base, a support swivelly mounted on said base to swing horizontally with respect thereto and having an upper horizontal timberreceiving surface, a horizontal guide frame carried by said support near the bottom thereof a substantial distance below the top surface of said support and extending in a radial direction with respect to the swivel axis of said support, said guide frame overlying and projecting outwardly beyond said base and adapted to swing horizontally above the wheels of said base, a timber-receiving saddle disposed at one end of said support for receiving a timber supported by the top surface of said support, a vertical, extensible elevating jack for said saddle and extending upwardly above said guide frame, means for mounting said jack on said guide frame for horizontal adjusting movement back and forth along said guide frame, said jack operable to elevate said saddle a substantial distance above the upper of said support to bring a timber on said saddle up against a roof to be supported, fluid operated mechanism on said base and connected to said support for swinging the latter horizontally about its swivel axis relative to said base, fluid operated mechanism on said guide frame and connected to said jack mounting means for moving the latter horizontally back and forth along said guide frame, a fluid pump on said swivelled support, and control valve means located at the opposite end of said support for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure to said fluid operated mechanisms.

JOHN MERCK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

